Suspected unstable angina

[Bell7]

Hi everyone.I'm a bit worried about my husband.

In the past 6 weeks my husband has been waking up with chest pains,pain down his left side & face,the 1st one lasted a couple of minutes,second one a bit longer & the recent one around 20 mins.He had an ECG which was fine,many blood tests all came back fine.Blood pressure fine.

He has an appointment at the cardiology on the 8th March for a rapid test.

His doctor hasn't said what this could be.

I'm just worried if he has another attack as all these attacks have happened when he's resting or asleep.

Has anyone had these symptoms & any idea what this could be?

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

I have unstable angina, and it can occur at night and early in the morning (as well as other times).

Does he have a GTN spray? I use mine at these times. Sometimes it helps, but (following advice from Cardio) if it doesn't , I call 999.

[Bell7 in reply to Kristin1812]

Yes he does,just worried sick if he has another attack.Thankyou for your reply,very much appreciated.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to Bell7]

Thank you……I’m sure its hugely worrying for both of you. The Cardio appointment will clarify things for you both, I’m sure.

Just till then, you say he has a GTN spray, but I wasn't sure he uses it when he gets this chest pain? If yes, does it have an effect?

[Bell7 in reply to Kristin1812]

He has only just had it this past week,I'm hoping if he does have another attack this will help.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to Bell7]

Ah! It should help if he gets an angina attack. Mine works a treat, but it does cause bad headaches for a while afterwards.

The NHS guidance is ….Call 999 if he had taken 3 doses of GTN and he’s still in pain 5 minutes after the 3rd dose or his pain is getting worse or he feels unwell. These are signs of a possible heart attack.

I hope he doesn't, but better to be safe.

[Bell7 in reply to Kristin1812]

Much appreciated,your advice has been so helpful,thankyou.

[Hidden]

Your GP may have elected to pass your husband on to to cardio specialists who are better placed to diagnose his condition, rather than give an opinion which may turn out to be incorrect. As far as ongoing chest pains are concerned Kristin1812 has offered good advice, and I add that if he does not have a GTN spray these are, apparently, available without a prescription at pharmacists. Hope you and your husband get a diagnosis and appropriate treatment for him soonest.

[Bell7 in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou for your reply,much appreciated

[22alfie]

Get it checked out right away. Don't take no for a answer!!

[Bell7 in reply to 22alfie]

He did at the hospital,they discharged him & has to wait for 8th March to go cardiology,I'm just really worried if he has another attack,I would have least thought they would have given him an angiogram.

[Bell7 in reply to Bell7]

Thankyou for your reply,very much appreciated.

[22alfie in reply to Bell7]

I'm speechless. Don't know what else to say. 🙁 😘

[Tos92]

Hi  Bell7

I’m sorry to hear your husband is unwell.

I have chest pain, arm pain, back pain and jaw pain on rest. I have a type of angina called vasospastic angina and this mostly occurs on rest. I get a squeezing sensation either in the middle of my chest or under my left breastbone, and this is almost always when I’m doing nothing. I also have a myocardial bridge, so that may be the source of the problem for me.

Have you noticed if there are any triggers for him? For example, stress is a major trigger for me, followed by extremely cold weather. A lack of sleep can also contribute to the spasms sometimes as well. It would be a good idea to keep a log for him when he has these episodes, and check his heart rate and BP if you can. These are good notes to take to his cardiology appointment. The GTN spray can temporarily relieve the pain when he has these episodes. It may, or may not work for him but if it does then at least it’s some relief until he gets a diagnosis.

[Bell7 in reply to Tos92]

Great idea,will let him know to log things.

Thankyou so much some great feedback,much appreciated.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hi Bell7,

I am sorry you are feeling so anxious at the moment.

I have lived with vasospastic angina for over 10 years. My angina is sadly resistant to treatment and I experience alot of chest pain especially at night

I am actually in hospital at the moment with unstable angina.

Kristin1812 has given you really good advice about how to use GTN spray.

If your husband's chest pain is not relieved by 3 sprays, 5 minutes apart , or by rest or your husband's chest pain lasts for longer, is more severe than usual and brought on by minimal exertion then it's time to ring 999.

When the heart muscle is damaged it releases a protein, troponin into the blood stream. If your husband's troponin levels were raised he would have been kept in hospital and offered further testing.

It's also reassuring that your husband's ECG showed no changes and his BP was normal.

Don't be shy about using the GTN nor calling 999 if necessary.

Perhaps give the BHF helpline a call and speak to one of the cardiac nurses who have lots of experience and are usually very helpful.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[Bell7 in reply to Milkfairy]

Thankyou for your great advice,much appreciated.

[Bell7 in reply to Milkfairy]

Get well soon.

[Hidden]

I had unstable angina before my bypass,but only on exertion or walking uphill.Then 4 years later I was getting severe chest pain whilst sleeping every few days.Went to GP she said must be angina again sent me straight to hospital.After tests consultant told me you won't get angina while sleeping said it's heartburn he changed my meds and I haven't had it since.Touch wood,so try not to worry.x

[Bell7 in reply to Hidden]

Oh ok.He gets alot of pain down the left side & a crushing pain in his chest.Its that bad it wakes him.

[Hidden in reply to Bell7]

That's exactly how mine was.I kept thinking I was having a heart attack.x

[seamaid]

I also have unstable Angina . you have some very good advice here and not a lot I can add to it other than to stress the use of his GTN Spray, I have three all of which does get used, one in my living room by my sofa where I sit, another next to my bed and the third in my handbag or pocket for when I am out , the trouble is ,is that it is so unpredictable ! when I know I am going to have to do something which is going to stress my breathing = eg a hill ( OK slight incline ) I take a couple of sprays before I start this can help., but most of my attacks do come when I am sitting doing some knitting and even when I am asleep it will wake me, All very best wishes with your husband,s Cardio appointment /

[Bell7 in reply to seamaid]

Thankyou,much appreciated. He does get breathless alot but most of his attacks have been either resting or sleeping.

[devonian186]

As well as keeping a log of attacks, the circumstances, food and drink eaten etc it would be useful to write down any questions you would like answered as these will likely be forgotten during the stress of an appointment

[Bell7 in reply to devonian186]

Thankyou for your reply

Much appreciated.

He is now starting to log things,it will as you said otherwise be forgotten.